The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-02-17

Abraham has been heretofore styled Abram
"High Father" and find the name
changed to Abraham, Father of a Multitude
indicative of the nations that We're to descend
from him. Abraham has dwelt for some fifteen
years in Mamre since that appearance of the
fire and smoke; he has lived at peace with man,
and in fellowship with God. The Divine Faith
er has appeared 10 Abraham and renewed his
covenant with him, and promised that Child
shall be born to Abram-a son, Isaac.
Now, as Abraham sits in his tents in the
plains of Mamre, in the heat of the day, three
men appear at the door and he arose and ran to
meet his Lord, for thus the Lord appeared to
him through the visit of the three angels.
Abraham hastened to entertain the holy visi-
tors by having Sarai his wife prepare meal,
and he slew calf and bade the visitors well
come.
After partaking of refreshments, the three an
gels arose and looked toward Sodom, and start
ed thence. Abraham went with them to show
them the way-though they knew the way as
well as he. Approaching the Lord, Abraham
began to plead for Sodom. for the Lord told him
that a certain cry had gone up that there was
much wickedness in Sodom, and he would go
thence and see. The Lord knew there were none
righteous in Sodom, Abraham thought there
might be some found who were.
We have already learned in these lessons how
Lot, Abraham's nephew, "went toward Sodom."
1t seams that he entered the wicked city, and
became one of its distinguished citizens. He
was now in Sodom, appearing unto the angels
in an offial capacity, sitting at The gate of the
city. 1t has perhaps been noticed that Gods
m ercy and protecting care had been about Lot,
all along the years. When he captured,
with all his possessions, by the Elamites, Abra-
ham was sent to deliver him, and all along he
had been given evidences of the goodness and
unto Lot at the gate, he received them with
distinguished courtesy, pressing them 10 tarry
at his house. But this history more properly
belongs to our next lesson. God revealed to
Abraham his purpose TO destroy Sodom because
of its utter wiclledness. Abraham, knowing
that his kin lived in the city prayed the Lord
to spare the city. Now comes the test 10 which
a Just God subject ed a wicked city. First, If
there be fifty, and finally if there be ten right
eous men found in all that city, then it should
not be destroyed. Abraham had faith in his
kinsfok sufficient to believe that they at least
were not utterly wicked, hence bis prayer.
There is significant lesson here: Sin had so
abounded in Sodom and Gomorrah, that it had |
come TO be almost second nature to the peo-
pie, and they had doubtless long ceased to re- |
gard the sinfuiness of 1t, and to believe that the
ways of Sodon were good enough for the NOR |
tai existence, and perhaps all thought of God
and his demands upon the human heart had |
vanished-or rather had not found lodgment in |
the city. The Divine promise was gwen that if, |
in all that city, ten righteous men could be |
found, the city would be spared for their sakes. |
But the fen could not be found, and the city |
was destroyed by the vengeance of the Lord. |
What a wonderful exhibition of the power of
sin, and what a beautiful illustration of the |
mercy of the Father! Men had been given |
abundant opportunity for living righteous
lives, their own wills had been permitted to |
hold sway, yet in great city not ten righteous
men could be founG! What an eXhortation to |
watch, and pray, and strive 10 live carefully |
within the bounds of Gods requirements! With |
Christian love i'll the heart, this is more of a |
pleasure than duty. Let every one of us strive |
to so live that matter when the angel of the |
Lord shall come along and call us to account |
we will be ready, and can meet him not only |
but gladly.